Recent advances in single-atom catalysts-based electrochemiluminescence sensors

Recently, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors has attracted more and more attention because of its successful commercialization for disease diagnosis, but they still suffer from the problems of low sensitivity, poor specificity and single target. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) show unique advantages in amplifying sensing signals due to their homogeneous active sites, unique electronic structures and high metal atom utilization. Therefore, SACs display satisfactory sensitivity in ECL sensors by tuning the active sites and coordination environments at the atomic level interface. In this review, the recent advances of SACs in ECL sensing applications are summarized. We first briefly describe the “top–down” and “bottom–up” preparation of SACs, and categorize SACs according to the active sites and carriers. Subsequently, the mechanism of ECL signal enhancement by SACs at the atomic level and the application of SACs as co-reactant accelerators in ECL sensors are highlighted. Finally, future research directions and challenges for SACs-based ECL sensors are discussed and outlooked, which provides guidance for sensitive and accurate biosensing for clinical diagnosis and environmental analysis.